Fracture apparatus



(ModeL) 0'. R. GORGAS.

Fracture Apparatus.

No. 238,887. Paten ted March I5, 1881'.

WITNESSES; J@W% INVENTDR:

ATTORNEYS:

lvPETEHS, FHOTKLUTHUGRAPKER. WASHINGTON D C f UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES R. GORGAS, OF WOOSTEB, OHIO.

FRACTU RE APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 238,887, dated March 15, 1881.

I Application filedJnly 7,1880. (Model) r all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatI, CHARLES RGORGAs, of Wooster, in the county of Wayne and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Surgical Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My improvements relate to apparatus for setting fractures of limbs and reducing dislocations.

The particular object of the invention is to furnish an apparatus that may be readily used by the surgeon without assistance, and in the case of fractures to dispense with bandages; and the invention consists in a frame provided with an extension-slide that is fitted for operation by a rack and pinion, whereby the power required m ay be readily applied, as more particularly set forth hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of the apparatus as adapted for use for fractures of the arms or dislocations of the shoulder-joint. Fig. 2 is a sectioualsideview of the apparatus as arranged for the lower limbs. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the board used in treating fractures of the leg.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The supporting-frame A of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2 consists of side bars, a a, of suitable length, connected rigidly by braces at the under side. The bars a are grooved at the inner sides and near the upper edge to receive the ribs or tongues of a rectangular frame, I), so that the latter is sustained and may slide lengthwise of the supporting-frame at its outer end.

There is journaled in the bars a a cross shaft, 0, which carries a pinion, 0, engaging with arack, p, that is attached to the under side of frame I). The ends of shafto are squared to receive a crankhandle, d, by which the shaft is to be turned and frame I) moved.

Between the inner ends of bars a is fitted what I term the arm-rest c. This consists of a strip of wood fitted at one end with a loose shaft, f, carrying a roller, g, between the forked ends of rest 0. The ends of bars a are slotted to form bearin gs for shaft f, whereby the rest is sustained and the shaft and roller may be turned.

The rollerg carries a band, of muslin or other suitable material, which is wound on the roll- .ermore or less to form a pad of the size removed out.

In operation the padded roller g is placed under the arm-pit and fastened by a bandage passed around the body. The frameA is then hung onthe shaftf and secured by pins passed through the bearings. The elbow is then to be secured to the inner end of slide 1) by buckle-straps, and by turning the handle (I to move slide b outward the required movement is obtained for reducing a dislocation. This arrangement maintains the counter-extension, as well as the extension in the axillar, which is essential in the proper treatment of a dislocated limb.

For a dislocated hip or fractured leg I use the board k (shown in Figs. 2 and 3) in place of the rest 0. This board is fitted with a crosspin, l, for entering the slots in bars a, and is formed with holes for straps, by which it is to be secured to the body and leg.

I use also a shoe or foot-piece, m, which is to be strapped to the outer end of slide 1) as a support for the patients foot. The operation is the same, the extension being in both directions, as required.

The apparatus is used in the same manner for fractures and instead of bandages emery or sand bag may be used, thus saving unnecessary pressure, with the evil results therefrom, and leaving the fractured limb exposed for external applications.

Having thus fully described my invention, 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent In a surgical apparatus, the sliding tongueframe I) and the grooved end-slotted side bars, a, the crank-shaft d 0, having a pinion. working on a bottom rack of frame, and the detent h "i, in combination with the forked arm-rest 6, having loose shaft f, with the roller g, as and for the purpose specified. I

CHARLES R. GORGAS, M. D.

Witnesses:

DANIEL B. HIsER, J. A. GAM, M. D.

I i t. 

